Window sash fastening means



1966 L. E. GILMORE WINDOW SASH FASTENING MEANS 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Oct. 2, 1964 O lF/IGURE a Fl/GURZE 2 Dec. 27, 1966 GlLMORE 3,293,821

WINDOW SASH FASTENING MEANS Filed Oct. 2, 1964 2 SheetsSheet 2 FIGURE 6 zo 2o 3 a; i]. l8

II I6 9 g 1o Luard .E. Gilmore, INYENTOR. n/ 5 l2 United States Patent 3,293,821 WINDOW SASH FASTENING MEANS Luard E. Gilmore, 520 Glenn Road, Spokane, Wash. 99206 Filed Oct. 2, 1964, Ser. No. 401,062 3 Claims. (Cl. 52-656) This invention relates generally to a means of fastening sash within a structural member and more particularly to such a means adapted to releasably fasten two separate similar halves of a window sash within the structure of a door in which said window is to be placed.

In the construction arts now existent, factory prefabricated doors have become common and, in fact, almost exclusively used in modern habita'ble structures. The methods of construction and nature of such doors, and the many and various types and kinds that must be supplied, have caused the product to be manufactured in more or less standard varieties with individual modifications being added at the time of installation, to fit particular needs.

This is particularly true in regard to windows to be placed in such doors, by reason of the wide variety of possible combinations resulting from the many types of doors and the many types of windows that could be combined. Because of this, the practice has developed to make the doors, whether of a panel or slab variety and of hollow or solid construction, without windows, leaving the window, if it be desired for installation in the door, to be placed at some time subsequent to manufacture.

To fit the need for such door-windows, a structure has evolved consisting of an outer peripheral moulding, with lips on both sides, adapted to fit over and cover an appropriate hole in a door, to hold the window structure therein. The moulding is split essentially in its center portion where it abuts the glass pane carried thereby, so that the sash assembly may be inserted and removed from a door as desired. Heretofore the practice has evolved to use ordinary wood screws inserted between the two halves of such sash members to hold them rigidly in place. Such screws, however, are unsightly by reason of their visible projecting parts and if they be countersunk or disguised in some other fashion, they are not readily removable without substantial damage being done to the peripheral frame.

With such background and factors in mind it is:

A principal object of my invention to provide a substantially hidden non-obvious means of fastening two halves of a window sash together.

It is a further object of my invention to provide a device of the nature aforesaid that may be easily removed to allow insertion or removal of the two parts of such sash as desired. 1

It is a further object of my invention to provide a device of the nature aforesaid that may not be removed from the outside, or exterior, of a door in which it may exist.

It is a further object of my invention to provide a device of the nature aforesaid that may be used and installed with both doors and door-window sash as presently commercially used, with only minor modifications in the door-window sash.

It is a further object of my invention to provide a new and novel device of the nature aforesaid of a simple and rugged nature, of economic manufacture and of great durability.

Other and further objects of my invention will appear from the following drawings, specification and claims appended hereto, and which form a part of this application.

3,293 ,82 1 Patented Dec. 27, 1966 In the following drawings, in which like numbers of reference refer to similar parts throughout:

FIGURE 1 is an isometric view of a complete door- WlIldOW sash showing my invention positioned in place thereon.

FIGURE 2 in an orthographic cross-sectional view of FIGURE 1 taken on the line 2-2 thereon in the direction indicated by the arrows.

FIGURE 3 is a cut-away partial isometric view of the peripheral sash shown in FIGURE 1 taken through one of my fastening units and showing the construction, configuration and various parts thereof.

FIGURE 4 is an isometric view of one of the fiat fastening clips of my invention showing its configuration.

FIGURE 5 is a partial cut-away orthographic view of a clip channel created in the sash of a window, showing its cross-sectional shape.

FIGURE 6 is a partial orthographic view of a doorwindow sash in place in a door, illustrating its configuration, parts and manner of attachment.

FIGURE 7 is a partial cut-away isometric view of a specie of my invention using a staple and pin as fastening means, rather than a clip.

Referring now to the drawings in greater detail, and particularly to those of FIGURES l and 2, there will be seen an ordinary door-window sash 10 of commerce. The door window-sash 10 comprises the inside peripheral frame 11 substantially identical to the outside peripheral frame 12, each frame 11, 12 being formed from the sash mouldings 13 joined at its corner intersections by the mitre joints 14. The sash moulding 13 has the central rectangular body portion 15 with the normally inwardly extending glass lip 16 having the glass rebate 17 on its inner surface and the oppositely or normally outwardly projecting door lip 18 adapted to maintain the moulding within an appropriate hole in a door 19 and cover the edge thereabout. The lengths of the various sash mouldings 13 may be such as to produce any desired window opening size within, of course, the limits set by the size of the door 19 in which the window 10 is to be positioned. The only critical dimensioning of the moulding is that the glass rebates 17 should be substantially onehalf of the thickness of the glass to 'be carried thereby so that the glass will be positioned as illustrated and the distance between the inner surface 20 of the two opposed door lips should be substantially the thickness of the door 19 upon which the window 10 is to be positioned. This type of door-window sash 10 just described is well known in the art and a common product of manufacture in the present day building trades, particularly those of the light frame variety.

Heretofore the inside and outside halves 11, 12 of door-window sash 10 of the nature described were commonly held together by placing an ordinary wood screw (not shown) from the outside face of one member, through the body portion 15, and extending into the body portion 15 of the other member. Normally this screw would be inserted from the inner surface 27 of the inside frame 11 into the outside frame 12 so that the window 10 could not be unfastened and extracted from the outside. In a solid-core type door the door lip 18 could be fastened to the door 19, but this is not particularly practicable because of the usually relatively small dimensions of the door lip 18.

In the construction of door-windows of the nature described, it is often-times advantageous to provide a sealant groove 21 (see FIGURE 6) upon the inwardly projecting surface of the glass lip 16 to provide a complete sealing of the join between members 111, 12. If this be done, when the two peripheral frames 11, 12 are put together, the sealant groove 21 is filled with an appropriate putty, mastic or other sealant, well known in the art, and the glass pane 23 seated thereagainst to form a seal between the frame members 11, 12 and the glass pane 23 carried thereby. .If such an elaborate arrangement is not desired, a sealant can be spread over the inwardly projecting surface of the glass rebates 17 and it will serve its purpose nearly as well, if not so neatly.

The operation, nature and structure of my invention is best shown in the illustration of FIGURE 3. I use the standard door-window sash of commerce, heretofore described and do not modify the outside peripheral frame 12 in any fashion whatsoever. The inside peripheral frame 11 is modified by having milled in it, immediately adjacent the inside surface of the .glass rebates 17, the dovetail-like channel 24, having the rectangular body portion 25 and two similar outwardly extending channel-like lips 26. This channel 24 is milled in a normally outwardly extending fashion as illustrated substantially perpendicular to the outer periphery 27 of the sash moulding 13, but not completely therethrough; the normally inward distance of extension of this channel 24 is not critical so long as it extends sufficiently past the outer extension of the glass rebates 17 to provide for fastening as hereinafter described. A plurality of such channels 24 are milled about the inside surface of the inside peripheral frame 11 as illustrated, the exact number being a matter of individual choice dependent upon the size of the particular window structure involved, the strength of the various materials used and the degree of durability required in holding the structure together.

A fastening clip 28 is constructed as illustrated in FIG- URE 4. It comprises the flat sheet-like body 29 having the end channel 30 created by extension of the legs 31 from the body member 29. A rolled top 32 is preferably provided at the other end of the body member 29 to aid in the insertion and extraction of the clip 28. The clip dimensioning must be such as to allow it to fit within the channel 24 and extend between the outwardly extending lips 26 thereof to fulfill its purpose hereinafter established.

To complete the fastening structure, a plurality of screws 33, preferably of the frusto-conical flat-headed variety illustrated, each positioned in the inner surface of the outside peripheral frame 12 so as to be centrally located within each of the opposed dovetail-like channels 24, with the inward projection of the screw 33 such that the fiat surface extends substantially to the innermost extension of the dovetail channel 24, is provided all substantially as illustrated in FIGURES or 3.

.The operation of this form of my invention is illustrated best in the cut-away view of FIGURE 3. A hole of appropriate size, position and configuration is established in the door 19 such that the peripheral edges of the hole substantially fit against the outer peripheral surface 27 of the sash mould 13, or at least ofsuch size that the door lip 18 of the moulding 13 will cover the hole about all edges. The outside frame 12, with the glass pane 23 in place, is then established in the hole provided therefore in the door 19, by so positioning it from the outside of the door 19. The inside frame 11 isvthen established in place from :the inside of the door 19 and from the construction aforesaid the plurality of dovetailed channels 24 in the inside frame 11 will be established over the paired corresponding screws 33. With the two frames 1:1, '12 maintained in this position the fastening clips 28 are inserted in the wing portions 26 of the channel 24 so that the end-channel 30 of the clip 28 extends over the shank 34 and under the flat-head 35 of the screw 33 to establish engagement between the members 28, 33. From this arrangement it is apparent that flat-head 35 of the screw 33 will prevent the fastening clip 28 from going over the head 35 and thus maintain the two parts 11, 12 of the door-window sash in structural engagement, but yet the two 11, 12 may be readily released by removing the fastening clip 28 from the channel 24.

From the structure described it can be seen that this fastening device is largely contained within invisible portions of the structures joined, the only visible part being the slight projection of the rolled top 32 of the fastening clip 28 immediately adjacent to the glass pane '23. If desired, the clip 28 may be so sized as to have the rolled top flush with the inwardly extending edge of the glass lip 16 of the inside frame 11, but if this structure be used, it is more difficult to remove the fastening clips 28 without damaging the inside frame 11. The rolled top 32 of the fastening clip 28 is, however, of such size and so positioned that it is much less noticeable and more aesthetically pleasing than if a screw had existed in the inside surface of the inside peripheral frame 11.

A second specie of my invention is illustrated in the partially cut-away view of FIGURE 7. Its operation is essentially the same as that heretofore described but the flat-headed fastening screw 33 is replaced with the U shaped staple 36 and the flat clip 28 is replaced with the round-shank headed pin 40'.

In this specie of my invention a staple 36 having legs 37, U shaped joining portion 38, and inner space 39 between the legs 37 is established, projecting inwardly, at a plurality of spaced locations about the surface 41 of the sash moulding -12. An appropriate gouge 42 is provided in the surface 41' of the inner frame 11 to provide for receipt of the projection of the staple 36 therein and yet remain the two surfaces 41 and 41' immediately adjacent to each other. A hole 43 is then provided immediately inward of the outermost surface of the inside frame 11 extending perpendicularly therethrough, in a a normal direction, to the gouge 42, so positioned that the pin 40 inserted therein will project within the inner space 39 of the staple 36 when the two frames 11, 12 are in their final established position.

The upper portion of the hole 43 should provide a nearly flush fit for the pin 40, but yet allow for its removal either by allowing the pin to project upward slightly therefrom or by providing a slight gouge immediately adjacent the head to allow for removal.

The pin 40 is of such size to provide for a press fit within the hole 43, so :that in its various positions about the window frame 10 it will not be forced out by action of gravity. The pin 40 must also be long enough to accomplish its purpose of extending into the inner space 39 of the staple 36, but yet must not extend beyond the chamber provided by the gouge 42.

The operation of this form of my invention is substantially the same as that heretofore described for the flatheaded screw, clip primary specie.

The foregoing description of my invention and its specie is necessarily of a detailed and specific nature so that a specific embodiment of it may be set forth as required, but this should not be construed as to prevent various modifications of detail, multiplications thereof and rearrangement of parts which are included within the spirit, essence and scope of my invention as set forth.

Having thusly described my invention, what I claim is:

1. In a window construction of the peripheral frame variety described, having a peripheral frame adapted to maintain said window in a planar structure upon establishment -and being divided into inner and outer members to permit installation, a semi-concealed releasable means of connecting said two frame members comprising, in combination:

a plurality of peripherally spaced rigid first fastening. means comprising flat-headed screws structurally communicating with the inner surface of the outer frame member and extending inwardly therefrom, said inward extensions having means for attachment of the inner frame thereto;

a plurality of corresponding chambers in the outer por tion of the inner frame, adjacent aforesaid fastening means, allowing projection of the inward extensions of said first fastening means into said chambers; and,

a plurality of second removable fastening means comprising flat clips having central channels adapted to fit over the shanks of said fiat headed screws, said flat clips extending from the inside periphery of the inner frame normally outward to releasa'bly engage the inward extension of said flat headed screws to provide structural communication between the inner and outer members of said window frame.

2. In a window construction of the peripheral frame variety described, having a peripheral frame adapted to maintain said window in a planar structure upon establishment and being divided into inner and outer members to permit installation, a semi-concealed releasable means of connecting said two frame members comprising, in combination:

a plurality of peripherally spaced rigid first fastening means comprising staples structurally communicating with the inner surface of the outer frame member and extending inwardly therefrom, said inward extensions providing means for attachment of the inner frame thereto;

a plurality of corresponding chambers in the outer portion of the inner frame, adjacent aforesaid fastening means, allowing projection of the inward extensions of said first fastening means into said chambers; and,

a plurality of second removable fastening means comprising headed pins extending from the inside periphery of the inner frame normally outward into said inner frame to releasably engage the inward extension of said staples to provide structural communication between the inner and outer members of said window frame.

3. In a window construction of the peripheral frame variety described, having a peripheral frame adapted to maintain said Window in an orifice of a planar structure upon establishment, and being divided into inner and releasable means of connecting said two frame members comprising, in combination:

a plurality of peripherally spaced headed screws structurally communicating with the inner surface of said outer frame member, the headed end of said screws extending inwardly from said outer frame to provide means for attachment of the inner frame thereto;

a plurality of corresponding chambers in the outer portion of said inner frame adapted to receive the inward extensions of said screws;

removable fiat clip fasteners, having a central channel adapted to releasably fit over the shaft portion of said screws, said clip fasteners :being slidably carried in channels in said inner frame perpendicular to said screws; and

second removable fastening means extending from the inside periphery of the inner frame normally outward.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS CHARLES E. OCONNELL, Primary Examiner.

outer members to permit installation, a semi-concealed HARRISON R. MOSELEY, Examiner.

W. E. HEATON, J. K. BELL. Assistant Examiners. 

1. IN A WINDOW CONSTRUCTION OF THE PERIPHERAL FRAME VARIETY DESCRIBED, HAVING A PERIPHERAL FRAME ADAPTED TO MAINTAIN SAID WINDOW IN A PLANAR STRUCTURE UPON ESTABLISHMENT AND BEING DIVIDED INTO INNER AND OUTER MEMBERS TO PERMIT INSTALLATION, A SEMI-CONCEALED RELEASABLE MEANS OF CONNECTING SAID TWO FRAME MEMBERS COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION: A PLURALITY OF PERIPHERALLY SPACED RIGID FIRST FASTENING MEANS COMPRISING FLAT-HEADED SCREWS STRUCTURALLY COMMUNICATING WITH THE INNER SURFACE OF THE OUTER FRAME MEMBER AND EXTENDING INWARDLY THEREFORM, SAID INWARD EXTENSIONS HAVING MEANS FOR ATTACHMENT OF THE INNER FRAME THERETO; A PLURALITY OF CORRESPONDING CHAMBERS IN THE OUTER PORTION OF THE INNER FRAME, ADJACENT AFORESAID FASTENING MEANS, ALLOWING PROJECTION OF THE INWARD EXTENSIONS OF SAID FIRST FASTENING MEANS INTO SAID CHAMBERS; AND, 